The game features many upgrades and enhancements over the original version. Features from StarCraft, such as right-click commands for units, and queuing multiple units for production, were implemented. The game was also ported to be natively supported under Windows, unlike the original game which ran under DOS. A fix for newer processors was included so regardless of how fast your processor was, the screen scroll speed was consistent. Unlike the original version which was meant to be run on a 486 processor and running on a modern processor the screen scroll speed was too fast.

The original version of Warcraft II supported online play, but only through IPX protocol, and not the TCP/IP protocol which became standard after its release. Many players used the paid-for program Kali, which emulated an IPX network over the internet, and allowed people to play it easily online. Warcraft II: Battle.net Edition added support for Battle.net.

It should be noted that the original Mac version of Warcraft II did support TCP/IP play, so the only new mulitplayer feature on the Mac side was playability on Battle.net.

There are 12 different versions of Warcraft II: Battle.net Edition: 1 in 1998, 4 during 1999, there were 2 editions during 2000, and there are 5 editions from the Best Seller Series in 2001. Additionaly, a battle chest was released in 1999, the Warcraft II: Battle Chest, which was a one CD edition, it included the game with its official Strategy Guide.

Differences between the versions:

Contact information is different.

Original release and 2000 editions with version 2.01a includes folder "ISP", which was replaced by the "Manual" folder.

1999 and 2001 editions included "Manual" folder including the manual and Adobe reader.

The original title for the game was Warcraft II: Platinum Edition before release, until it was changed to the title it has now. Blizzard's original plans to include an additional all-new Warcraft II Platinum campaign were scrapped in the interest of emphasizing Battle.net Edition's true intent: to provide the classic Warcraft II as is, with extensive multiplayer support and a few select gameplay enhancements.[3]